Horological Display Position Detection Using Stereoscopic Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in accurately determining the position of a horological display, particularly the hour hand, due to high sensitivity to shooting parameters and difficulty in distinguishing hands from decorated dials.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device using stereoscopy to enhance the visual distinction of watch hands from the dial by adding depth information, allowing for improved detection probabilities through the use of multiple cameras or varying illumination to project shadows.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single camera is used to observe the watch dial, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to distinguish hands from decorated dials deteriorates due to high sensitivity to shooting parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second camera to capture images from a different angle, adding a spatial dimension to the observation. This allows the system to distinguish hands from dial decorations by analyzing three-dimensional spatial relationships and parallax effects, thereby improving detection accuracy without excessive complexity increase
2Device complexity
If the hour hand is detected by monitoring its movement, then the detection method is simple, but the time required to obtain usable information becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
By using stereoscopic vision with two cameras, the system can detect the hour hand's position immediately through spatial analysis of the hand's projection and its relationship with reference marks on the dial, eliminating the need to wait for significant movement to occur
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal recognition algorithm is developed to handle various display configurations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity and programming requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dedicated reference marks specifically positioned on the dial to provide localized reference points for hand detection. This approach allows the system to handle various display configurations reliably by using these specific local references rather than requiring a complex universal algorithm to adapt to all possible dial designs
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution significantly simplifies the detection of the hour hand and improves the overall accuracy of determining the position of horological displays, even in cases where visual contrast is low.
Implementation Method 1
optical acquisition means (60), that said device includes, arranged to identify said at least one display (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A device for determining a position of a horological display, the device including a control device coordinating a time base, a shape recognition device, and an optical acquisition device. The control device identifies the display and monitors its travel in order to code its instantaneous position in relation to a fixed guide-mark, and controls entries of its position at distinct instants in time to determine its mobility in relation to the fixed guide-mark. The device includes a device for determining the depth position of the display in relation to the fixed guide-mark, a device for controlling the position of the optical acquisition device, a device for controlling a focus of the optical acquisition device, and an additional optical acquisition device coupled with the optical acquisition device to interferentially monitor the display.